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New Zealand Historic Muscle Cars Under HRC

OK, i can hear it now "not another class" but we had to do it, we just had too!!way too many great race saloons parked at the moment. Myself, Steve Holmes and Tony Roberts have set about organising a new group of over 3L Muscle Cars to be raced under HRC, the difference this time is we have used the Motorsport Classic and Historic Rule book under T&C rather than base it around someones existing race car!! Our first event is planned for the 1012 BMW Festival next January!! Currently Steve has a great write up in this months(may 11) NZV8 magazine!! Click on the link for the rules http://www.grandprix.org.nz/nz-muscle-cars.wse and from time to time i will add postings.

Latest HMC E-Mailout

Hi HMC Guys

Just brief mailout, still plenty happening behind the scene's, will keep you posted as these come to lite!! though the Steve Holmes article in NZV8 last month i've had considerable interest NZ wide, infact several from the South Island rang about HMC down that way!! early days yet.

As with any rules and reg's, determining what they mean can be frustrating so he's a couple of items i've had to touch on!!

1 - Can i use a 67/9 Camaro Cowl bonnet on my 70/73 Camaro? Answer: No you can't, under Important Note(1) A vehicle may be modified to utilize the period variations within the manufacturer’s model body shell!! so that been the case a 70 to 73 Camaro never came from the Factory NEW as a Standard Series Production Vehicle with a Cowl Bonnet, this is a different "Model Body Shell" from a 67/9.

2 - Can i use 60 Profile Tyres on my Mustang? Answer: Sure can, the Minium tyre Profile is 50 Series, if you want to go larger this is no problem but you cannot use a Tyre any lower than 50 Profile(EG, 45, 40, 35 Profile)..

3 - A Factory Capri Perana V8 only came with 13" wheels, does that mean my Capri Perana replica can only use 14 wheels? Answer: No, any over 3L Historic Muscle Car that came factory with 12, 13 and 14" Wheels can upsize straight to 15" but you still must use a 50 Profile tyre and you cannot chop the guards to fit, only the arch/wing pressing folded into the wheel arch may be deformed, but not removed, to give clearance to the tyres.

4 - Can i race my AC Cobra Replica with you guys? Answer: No, and for several reasons, a Cobra Replica is not a "Standard Series Production Vehicle" its a kit car!!! and also the real ones where made from aluminium not fibreglass(mostly) and if fitted any engine other than a SB or BB Ford this also would not be correct.

5 - Can i race my Triumph Stag V8 with HMC?, Answer: Yes you can, Vehicles other than American or Australian are welcome, all safety requirements must meet MSNZ and also must comply to HMC rules

6 - Can i race my 911 Porsche 3.4L with HMC?, Answer: No as no rear engine vehicles are allowed, but if your Porsche is one of the Front engine V8 rear wheel drive vehicles then this is OK

Please feel free to E-Mail or PH myself or Tony Roberts if you have a question or don't understand a ruling, where here to help!!

Also, see attachment for this Article written in May's Hemmings Classic Car by its American writer that was Hampton Downs for the Amon Event, very good exposure for Hampton Downs US wide and as you will read, it was the 60's Saloon's that impressed.

Once again though Steve Holmes we will have some up and coming features on HMC cars, and their owners in various magazines over the winter period, all with a push aimed towards next Januarys BMW Festival. If you want to feature yourself and Vehicle for HMC please contact Steve enquiries@monsterracewear.co.nz he will also be setting up a HMC Website in the coming months so info for this will be required.

And one final item, to race with HMC you will be require joining Historic Racing Club(HRC) for a small fee of $50, click on here http://www.grandprix.org.nz/Contact_Us.wse and then too "Membership application form press here" a small price to pay to join a great club.

Great news Dale. Can't wait to see these cars in action & hopefully some new competitors will come out to play if they know that there wont be any biffo involved. I enjoy watching the Central Muscle Cars but they suffer some major damage from time to time.

Great news Dale. Can't wait to see these cars in action & hopefully some new competitors will come out to play if they know that there wont be any biffo involved. I enjoy watching the Central Muscle Cars but they suffer some major damage from time to time.

Nigel, Central is great class for the spectators to watch and enjoy!! they certainly have some wild machinery in that group!! lots of sideways action etc, but it has really turned in a semi professional race class along the lines of the Australian Bianti/Auto Barn Cars!! where as myself and others at HMC are more about Old Cars and Historic Racing where winning aint so important!!

Jac Mac, Not sure about a 69 TVR Tuscan but by all means have a look though the rules on the Historic Racing Club website http://www.grandprix.org.nz/nz-muscle-cars.wse to determine eligibility!! is that the model Jack Onrack races here in NZ? unfortunatly his one is quite "Hot Rodded" i doupt it would be HMC legal, also been a Sports Car makes it a HMC group 1 vehicle!! he's certainly very fast thats for sure!!

Nigel, Central is great class for the spectators to watch and enjoy!! they certainly have some wild machinery in that group!! lots of sideways action etc, but it has really turned in a semi professional race class along the lines of the Australian Bianti/Auto Barn Cars!! where as myself and others at HMC are more about Old Cars and Historic Racing where winning aint so important!!

Dale Mathers

Dale, you are always very diplomatic in your references to the present day Central Musclecar which is at it should be. Clearly the class has grown and in some respects grown a little too "libre" for many, including myself. I liken it a bit to the South Island's OSCA formula (I exaggerate a little!) while up North we were all being treated to beautiful American cars like Fahey's Mustang and Coppins Camaro etc.

I like your class's new slogan "the cars are the stars". You have shown in the past with your beautiful orange Boss that it's possible to have a period correct (well close to) car that looks great and is driven quick and clean. The CMC in some ways looks today like a bunch of guys who have moved up from Holden HQ or speedway superstocks. Car presentation is often rude and driving standards to match. Maybe we can see some great action in the next few years with the new class if some US and Australian drivers come over.

I think it'd be great for all the cars in HMC to be on 15" wheels with Goodyear Bluestreak cross-ply tyres. It'd be period correct, and the cars would look great, and slip and slide as they should do. This is what the Historic Trans-Am cars run on, and those cars look fantastic. Check them out here: http://www.historictransam.com/

The biggest issue with the Bluestreaks is the cost. That being said, by comparison to what people spend on other areas of a race car, they're a fairly minor outlay. But from speaking to people who race regularly on them, they are a lot of fun, and you should be able to get 3-4 events from a set. They tend to run out of grip before they run out of rubber, so you could say they become more enjoyable the older they get!

Im currently have a set of 15" Daisy Arrow Wheels been built so i'll be on Goodyear Bluestreaks at the BMW Festival next year!!! If it slows me by a second or two, that aint so bad!! I always prefer to win the race in pits!! i found out years ago that the "nicest" car in the pits is long "remembered" after the last race is won!!

Politically CMC has had its issues, but that can't be help when you have a growing class and a "Bullseye" for everyone to aim for!! the class as i've said, is a great spectacle!! and although the viewing public may enjoy the damage it certainly isn't fun for the car owner/driver!! but as long as there are racers willing to bucket the $$$ in, the class will survive!! Funnily enough, in Australia they're having the same issues with the Biante/Auto barn series, as it has turned into a full blown "Racers" class in old cars where win at all cost counts, and only professional well funded teams can win!!! "it sure is great to watch though!!!"

Hopefully HMC & CMC will both enjoy healthy grids. I'll probably see the HMC cars racing more than CMC because I prefer the HRC meetings. Anyway, really looking forward to hearing what cars will be racing. Watching this space!!!

Hopefully HMC & CMC will both enjoy healthy grids. I'll probably see the HMC cars racing more than CMC because I prefer the HRC meetings. Anyway, really looking forward to hearing what cars will be racing. Watching this space!!!

The plan Nigel is to only race at HRC events(at this stage) as they already have a format in place!! Just a matter of getting competitors to the grid with cars that fit the rules!! and also, they're having a sort out in the Under 3L small saloons(mini's, escorts, cortinas, etc) as well, we will all be racing together!! Just like the old days!!!

Kevin Gimblett, Historic Muscle Car 67 Camaro

This is Kevin Gimbletts 67 Camaro in "Dale Earnhardt Goodwench" colours, Kevin has removed has Alloy heads and replaced them with Cast Iron RHS heads correct for HMC, now he's good to go for this season and will be racing at the Hampton Festival next January. Kevins a hard charger with 35 plus years Speedway experience, he always makes that Camaro wide when im behind him, LOL